We analyze the performance of quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols that rely on discrete phase randomization (DPR). For many QKD protocols that rely on weak coherent pulses (WCPs), continuous phase randomization is assumed, which simplifies the security proofs for such protocols. However, it is challenging to achieve such a perfect phase randomization in practice. As an alternative, we can select a discrete set of global phase values for WCPs, but we need to redo the security analysis for such a source. While security proofs incorporating DPR have been established for several QKD protocols, they often rely on computationally intensive numerical optimizations. To address this issue, in this study, we derive analytical bounds on the secret key generation rate of BB84 and measurement-device-independent QKD protocols in the DPR setting. Our analytical bounds closely match the results obtained from more cumbersome numerical methods in the regions of interest.

The recent advances in quantum information processing, sensing, and communications are surveyed with the objective of identifying the associated knowledge gaps and formulating a roadmap for their future evolution. Since the operation of quantum systems is prone to the deleterious effects of decoherence, which manifests itself in terms of bit-flips, phase-flips, or both, the pivotal subject of quantum error mitigation is reviewed both in the presence and absence of quantum coding. The state of the art, knowledge gaps, and future evolution of quantum machine learning (QML) are also discussed, followed by a discourse on quantum radar systems and briefly hypothesizing about the feasibility of integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) in the quantum domain (QD). Finally, we conclude with a set of promising future research ideas in the field of ultimately secure quantum communications with the objective of harnessing ideas from the classical communications field.

It is known that quantum scissors, as non-deterministic amplifiers, can enhance the performance of Gaussian-modulated continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) in noisy and long-distance regimes of operation. Here, we extend this result to a non-Gaussian CV-QKD protocol with discrete modulation. We show that, by using a proper setting, the use of quantum scissors in the receiver of such discrete-modulation CV-QKD protocols would allow us to achieve positive secret key rates at high loss and high excess noise regimes of operation, which would have been otherwise impossible. This also keeps the prospect of running discrete-modulation CV-QKD over CV quantum repeaters alive.

In this paper, low-complexity channel allocation methods are proposed for quantum access networks. We consider dense-wavelength-division-multiplexing passive optical network (DWDM-PON) structures that enable users to exchange secret keys, in addition to data transmission. We consider two main sources of noise in such systems, Raman scattering and four-wave mixing, and examine optimal channel allocation in different scenarios. We also take into account finite-key effects in the quantum key distribution (QKD) channels. Our numerical results show that the proposed wavelength assignment methods can significantly enhance the secret key generation rate of users.

This paper addresses multi-user quantum key distribution networks, in which any two users can mutually exchange a secret key without trusting any other nodes. The same network also supports conventional classical communications by assigning two different wavelength bands to quantum and classical signals. Time and code division multiple access (CDMA) techniques, within a passive star network, are considered. In the case of CDMA, it turns out that the optimal performance is achieved at a unity code weight. A listen-before-send protocol is then proposed to improve secret key generation rates in this case. Finally, a hybrid setup with wavelength routers and passive optical networks, which can support a large number of users, is considered and analyzed.

Atmospheric optical communication systems that use optical preamplifiers and diversity reception are addressed. The particular diversity techniques that are investigated include aperture averaging, linear combining, and adaptive optics. On-off keying and binary pulse position modulation are considered. The effects of atmospheric turbulence, background light, source extinction ratio, amplified spontaneous emission, and receiver thermal noise are studied in the context of a semiclassical photon-counting approach. Numerical results are presented using a conditional Gaussian approximation method. By this method, we can measure the power penalty incurred under various operating conditions as well as the link margin improvement due to optical preamplification and diversity reception.

Atmospheric optical communication systems that use optical preamplifiers and diversity reception to combat the effects of atmospheric turbulence are addressed. The effects of atmospheric turbulence, background light, source extinction ratio, amplified spontaneous emission, and receiver thermal noise are considered in a context of a semiclassical photon-counting approach. The particular diversity techniques that are investigated include aperture averaging, linear combining, and adaptive optics. Numerical results, obtained using a conditional Gaussian approximation, quantify the link margin improvement due to optical preamplification and diversity reception.

We present a thorough analysis based on photon-counting techniques on temporal/spatial fiber-optic code-division multiple-access systems incorporating both post- and pre-optical amplifiers. In this analysis, we consider the effect of shot noise, thermal noise, and source extinction on system bit-error rate. Our results can be used to estimate the maximum tolerable amount of quantum fluctuations in the received signal.

We employ photon-counting techniques to analyze the performance of an all-optical fiber-optic code division multiple access (CDMA) network incorporating multiple optical amplifiers. Our analysis is based on obtaining characteristic functions indicating the photon-count of the output of a block of CDMA code pulse to its input count. The bit error rate (BER) results are obtained using two methods, namely, saddle-point and Gaussian approximations. From our BER analysis, we develop some insight into the optimum distribution of optical amplifiers and their corresponding gain setting parameter.